Griffith researchers studying children suffering rejection

A new study is looking at how to protect children from the effects of experiencing rejection.

Researchers from Griffith University will study 800 primary school children over three years.

Professor Drew Nesdale says being rejected as a child can have a significant impact on relationships in later life.

"Kids are being rejected from the moment they start interacting and playing with other kids," he said.

"By the time they begin formal schooling, you can have children that are already being consistently rejected by other children.

"It hurts, it has big impacts and so this project is about trying to develop a technique to build up kids abilities to protect themselves.

Professor Nesdale says the findings could help prevent rejection from causing children long-term damage.

"If we can refine and be sure as to what causes rejection sensitivity in children, we should be able to actually have a pretty large effect on their relationships ... as well as their personal emotions by building the sorts of skills that will defend and protect them from those sorts of outcomes," he said.